Another successful border mayors meeting

Tourism, border security, legal employment for Mexicans and a regional infrastructure development were the four action plans discussed at the third border mayors meeting held on Jan. 25 at the Douglas Visitors Center.

“We are working together to change the impression that the border is a division line, when in fact it is a meeting point,” Consul of Mexico in Douglas, Oscar Antonio de la Torre said

Bisbee Mayor and hostess Adriana Zavala-Badal proposed to have an employment fair that would serve as a point of meeting for all the area entrepreneurs, investors and employers.

The group also agreed to invite both the Sonora Ministries of Tourism and Employment and the Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation to the next meeting.

They plan on developing a brand name in order to build a website, Facebook page and other social media sites. This way there is one central area for community members or people from outside of Cochise County to get information.

Mayor Zavala-Badal said the success of this project relies on border area perception so she proposed to launch a region perception improvement media campaign within both countries.

Douglas Mayor Danny Ortega Jr., expressed his commitment to get more goods and commerce interchange through this Port of Entry and have a better border crossing experience for everyone.

“We must boost economical, educational and cultural activities in order to strengthen the links between the border community”, Mayor Ortega said.

The group touched on the many holidays that both the U.S. and Mexico celebrate and how to bring both of these communities together to improve tourism.

Consul De La Torre suggested having a “Tequila Tasting Party” to be held in Douglas for Cinco de Mayo.

“We would have several tequila's and someone to teach us how to drink tequila,” De La Torre said.

The group included Arizpe Mayor Vidal Guadalupe Vázquez Chacón, Bacoachi Mayor María E. Díaz González, Cananea Mayor Francisco Javier Tarazón, Nacozari Mayor Marco A. Montes, Tombstone Mayor Stephen Schmidt, Council women Gwen Calhoun representing Sierra Vista Mayor Rick Mueller and Carlos M. Fu Salcido representing the Sonora Ministry of Economy, Fabián Raúl Domínguez representing the Sonora Ministry of Employment, Gwen Calhoun, City of Sierra Vista Council member, Mignonne D. Hallis, Executive Director of the Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation, Nathaniel Rettenmayer, representing the U.S. General Consulate in Nogales, and Susan Wallace, President of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce President.

“This is a very unique meeting,” Sierra Vista Council women, Gwen Calhoun said. “I believe this can be a successful project.”

The next mayors meeting will be held in Cananea, Sonora March 8-9.